Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 11

I can't believe week 11 is over with. I am going into my final week. So crazy.

Monday:

Dynamic Core.....I killed it. What a great way to start week 2 of T25 off.  :)

Tuesday:

Decided to split my 5 miles up again so I would be able to run with the group later on in the evening. 

Had a somewhat fast 2 mile run in the AM. I believe the cooler weather had a major part in that.  As soon as I was finished my run, I got started on my Core Cardio work out from T25.  For whatever reason I was struggling with that. I did the best I could. 

The evening run took place in Town Park for the second anniversary of SBPRC (Suwanee Big Peach Running Co). They had about 7 vendors there who demos. I went to to the Mizuno tent and tried on the Sayonaras. I took those shoes on a 3 mile run. I have say I liked them but would have to see how they feel to me on a longer run. Hopefully they will be back for another demo sometime in the future.  The run went well. Cooler temps definitely help me.

Wednesday:

I didn't allow myself to make up any excuses about getting up and getting my work out over with. T25 Rip't Circuit was a lot better than last week. I felt more comfortable using the resistance bands.

Thursday:

I am not really a fan on skipping work outs but since I sore from Wednesdays work out, I decided I would just run today and do nothing else.

My 2 mile run in the AM was another fast one. Faster than Tuesdays. I wasn't even trying to run fast it just happened. :\

I love joining the group run. Had another 3 mile run followed by some yummy pizza afterwards.

Friday:

I had a hard time getting up to go for a run. I really wanted to sleep in but I knew the run wasn't going to get completed without me. I was able to run my 10 miles in one hour and thirty-five minutes. I believe I am ready for my half. I just hope the weather is gorgeous next Sunday as it was on my run. :)

Saturday:

Rest Day.

Sunday:

Rest Day,

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 10

It's hard to believe that I am on week 10 of my training. It seems like yesterday I was just starting it. In 3 weeks, I will have my first half marathon under my belt.

Monday:

Started month 2 of T25. So far Beta means some serious business. Core Cardio kicked my butt. Maybe next time I will be able to say I nailed it.

Tuesday:

This morning felt amazing outside and since I was going to be running with the running group in the evening I decided I would split up my 5 miles. I did a slow 2 mile run in the morning before doing my T25 Speed 2.0.

Speaking of Speed 2.0....wow! That work out was crazy. I walked away feeling great. :)

The evening run went better than expected. Even though I hate the hill at the end, I can tell I am getting better and faster (trying not to get too fast though). :)

Wednesday:

It was a little weird working with the resistance bands today. I normally just use weights, but since I don't have any at home the bands will have to do.  I nailed my T25 Rip't Circuit. Hopefully next time won't be so awkward using the bands.

Thursday:

Since I am doing another run later with the running group, I decided I would get up and just run 2 miles in my neighborhood.

As much as I would love to say I nailed my work out afterwards...I didn't. :( T25 Dynamic Core means some serious business.

It was a little warm on my second run of the day. Decided to run a little slower than I did on Tuesdays run.

Friday:

Another busy weekend means getting my long run in early. Since the half marathon course is hilly, I have been taking my long runs to the park to run the hilly loop around the lake. Granted the hills there aren't like what I will see on the course, it is still better than training on a flat course. I felt slower than normal, but in the end my avg pace was  9:13" which is where I want to be anyways for my race.

Saturday:

Decided to take advantage of the wonderful weather, so we headed up to the mountains for the day/night.

Sunday:

Got on the boat for possibly one last time before the cooler weather sets in. It was so nice to be able to get out on the lake to relax.  Great way to end week 10 of training :)

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 9

Hard to believe week 9 is complete. Tomorrow beginning week 10. :)

Monday:

Started week 5 of T25. Crazy how fast these 5 weeks have gone. Anyways, today was Total Body Circuit. I have to say I really gave it my all today and nailed it. :)

Tuesday:

I had a hard time getting into my run today. Probably for the fact I was on the treadmill and the shows that were on TV were not interesting. I got my 5 miles done though. I am hoping to get up sooner on Thursday to get my run done outside instead of running indoors.

T25 Ab Intervals was challenging today but I got it done. :)

Wednesday:

I wasn't really wanting to do anything today, so instead of being lazy I went to the gym for some core work. I rewarded myself with the hot tub afterwards. I needed that.

Thursday:

Decided I would do my 10K run today instead of this weekend since I may not have time for it. It was the worst 10K time for me. I just wasn't into my run.

After my run I came home and took it easy for a few before getting starting with T25 Cardio. Not going to lie I was pretty tired after my 6 mile run. I pushed through it though and finished.

Friday:

Since I switched up my running days, I decided I would run my 5 mile that I was suppose to do on Thursday. First I had to get T25 Lower Focus done. I nailed it! :)

I did my 5 mile in the evening. My legs felt a little sluggish at first but quickly warmed up. 

Saturday:

Rest day.

Sunday:

Rest day.

AllState 13.1 Marathon Series - Atlanta

Just a quick post today...

If you are looking to do a half marathon in 3 weeks, check out the 13.1 Marathon Series in Atlanta on October 6th.  This will be my first (and I am sure not my last half). I am starting to get super excited about it! I would love to have everyone I know running it or at least doing the 5K. Use the code below if you are interested in participating in the half marathon.

P.S. Some exciting news coming soon. Can't wait to share... :)

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 8

Oh my, week 8?! Only 4 weeks to go....I CAN DO THIS!

Monday:

Started week 4 of T25. Hard to believe I only have one more week left in the Alpha stage before moving on to Beta.

I really nailed the Cardio portion today. It was only towards the end that I was starting to get tired. I am also happy to say I did all the moves without going to the modifier :)

Tuesday:

Since I normally don't like to drive too far to run and since I just so happened to be in the area, I decided I would go run where it all started for me. It was nice being back where I started running. I really like this greenway because for the most part its pretty shady and since I was running at 10 AM I needed all the shade I could get it. I completed my 4.5 mile run in 40 min. :) Maybe just maybe going back to where it started at will give me a boost. :)

I moved my T25 Total Body Circuit work out to the evening. It was a good and bad thing. Good because I was tired and didn't get back home until 2. Bad because I like getting my work outs over with in the AM even though I am not the morning person by all means. LOL. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to nail the work out. I just wasn't into it.

Wednesday:

Tuesday night I felt a little pain in my lower back (not sure how I even strained my lower back muscle either), so I decided I would take the day off and rest.

Thursday:

Back felt better so I decided I would go for a 2 mile run. Painless run. I would have done the other 2.5 but didn't want to push it.

Got my T25 Lower Focus in that I was suppose to do on Wednesday. Nailed that work out. My legs are looking and feeling amazing! :)

Friday:

I didn't want to do anything. I went to bed with a migraine and woke up with what was left of it. I normally can't do anything when my head is throbbing. So I decided I would just chill for a bit. I took some medicine to help kick that lingering headache before attempting to do my double day of T25.

After about 45 minutes of relaxing, I was able to get started on my work outs. First up Ab Intervals. I have to say I have a love/hate relationship with this particular work out. Instead of complaining to myself about doing it, I sucked it up and nailed all the moves. Talk about ouch. My abs were on FIRE! :)

Next comes Speed 1.0. I have to say this one has totally grown on me. And its exactly what I needed this morning. Just like the ab intervals, I nailed this work out as well. :)

Completed week 4 of T25. Next week is my final week of T25 Alpha. I am excited to see how Beta is going to treat me. :)

Oh, and it's one month until my half marathon.

Saturday:

I got up early (even though I didn't want to on my day off) to beat the heat for my 8 mile run. I still wasn't sure where I wanted to run, but decided I would go to Little Mulberry Park to get in a hilly run. Took my EnergyBits before heading out of the house (I was going to need them today, lol). I knew when I started running that I didn't want to take off too fast. I am trying to keep my pace down so I don't over do it. Before I knew it the run was over. I completed my longest run yet. My avg pace (according to my Nike+ GPS) was 8:59. Close to 9 which is where I wanted to be. I felt great when I finished. I am extremely happy I was able to run the whole time without stopping to walk. :)


Sunday:

After an amazing run Saturday, I definitely can say I earned my rest day! :)

Week 8 was amazing. Now on to week 9....

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 7

For whatever reason I just wasn't feeling it on week 6. I am hoping that week 7 is a lot better.

Monday:

After having a crappy week last week I wasn't sure how I was going to do starting off the new week of training. Luckily I kicked some major butt during my work out. I felt amazing afterwards. Three weeks in to this program and I can definitely tell a difference in some of the things you have to do.

Tuesday:

I decided that I would go to the park and run some hills. One loop around the lake is 2.2 miles. Perfect place to get my 4.5 miles in. I was feeling pretty good the first loop around. Second loop I wasn't feeling it. Normally I like to switch it up and go back the way I came when I get to the start area but today I kept going the way I had started. I pushed through it though. Glad I did. :)

Came home and relaxed for a little bit before starting T25 Speed 1.0. I am not sure where my energy came from but I nailed it. I was able to do all the moves with no stopping. It wasn't easy but I did it!! :)

Later in the evening my friend, Kat, and I decided to go for a run together. It was nice to run somewhere different. Ended up doing another 4 miles.

Wednesday:

Today was tough. T25 Lower Focus was strictly working on the lower part of my body. I really pushed myself to do everything that Shaun T and the crew did. Definitely an amazing cross training work out.

Thursday:

I decided I wouldn't run in the AM so I got started on T25 Cardio. Love walking away knowing I completely nailed the work out. :)

Friday:

Double day! Decided I would start off with T25's Total Body Circuit today. This is my least favorite. As much as I wanted to skip it I kept pushing myself through it.

Ab Intervals was up next. I felt like I gave it my all. I think the next time I had to do Ab Intervals on a double day I am going to get it over with first.

Saturday:

Since its a holiday weekend, I decided I would get my run in a day early. I waited a few hours after I got off work to get in my 7 miles. Surprisingly, I was faster than I had planned. I ended up getting a new PR in my training 10K. I also finished 7 miles in under an hour. A lot better than I did 2 years ago. :)


Sunday:

Rest day.


Week 7 was definitely a lot better than week 6. Here is to week 8 being even better.